Middle school in Uxbridge to reopen Thursday

TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Published Wednesday October 9, 2013 at 9:06 pm

UXBRIDGE — Classes will resume at McCloskey Middle School Thursday after a two-day shutdown imposed when asbestos-containing tiles were discovered. A ceiling-to-floor cleaning by a license asbestos abatement contractor has been completed.

In an email to parents and staff Wednesday, Superintendent Kevin M. Carney said second and final test results found no presence of asbestos fibers in latent dust, nor did they identify any elevated airborne fiber concentrations.

"We will continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Labor Standards, and our environmental analysts at Smith and Wessel in the upcoming weeks to ensure that we are in compliance with all regulations and to ensure the safety of our staff and students," Mr. Carney said in the email. "There is nothing more serious than health and safety concerns and I will be working closely with these agencies in the days and weeks ahead to determine additional safety measures that we can take."

Parents were notified in emails and phone messages Monday night that the middle school, which houses Grades 6, 7 and 8, would be closed Tuesday. The notifications came after environmental tests showed that flooring material removed over the summer contained asbestos. The hazardous material was also present in tiles found last week in the Dumpster behind the school.

School officials later decided to keep the school closed a second day so the extensive cleaning could take place.

Dear McCloskey Middle School Families and Staff:

I am writing to inform you that school will be open for McCloskey Middle School students and staff on Thursday, October 10. The second and final test results do not identify the presence of asbestos fibers in the latent dust nor any elevated airborne fiber concentrations.

Thank you for your patience and I hope that McCloskey students and staff are able to return to their daily routines tomorrow.